The IP Mindset: A New Path for Filipino Writers

In the Philippine creative scene, most people still treat a book as the final product.

You write it, print it, maybe post a quote card or trailer online, and that’s it.
But globally, that’s not how stories are treated.

Today, stories are starting points.
A book is no longer just a book—it’s potential. It’s property. It’s a seed.

Welcome to the world of IP—Intellectual Property.
And if you’ve written a story, you already own some. The real question is: do you know what to do with it?

What Is IP, Really?

IP (Intellectual Property) is a fancy legal term for a simple idea:
You created something. You own it.

That includes:

Your characters
Your plot
Your fictional world
Your writing voice
Your lore, magic systems, social dynamics, and more

IP is what allows your story to grow beyond the page. It’s what gives you the legal and creative right to expand, license, protect, and monetize your work—whether through merchandise, adaptations, translations, or collaborations.

In short: IP is how your story becomes an empire, not just a book.

What IP Looks Like in the Real World

You’ve seen it everywhere—you just didn’t always know it was IP in action.

Global Examples

The Witcher — book series → video game → Netflix series → merch
Harry Potter — novels → films → theme parks → Broadway → global brand
Percy Jackson — novels → films → Disney+ series
The Hunger Games — YA trilogy → blockbuster films → fashion collabs, soundtracks
Twilight — novels → films → merch, fan events, global phenomenon
Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire) — novels → HBO series → spin-offs, merch, lore books

These stories didn’t stay on the page—they built worlds people wanted to live in.

Filipino Examples

Trese — local comic → animated Netflix series
Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan — novel by Bob Ong → film adaptation
Diary ng Panget — Wattpad novel → published book → movie

And yet, very few Filipino authors think of their books this way. That’s not your fault. IP isn’t a conversation most local publishers are having with authors. But it should be.

Why Writers Should Care

Because if you don’t think of your story as IP, someone else might.
And they’ll be in a better position to profit from it than you are.

More than that—you deserve more.
You deserve to see your story fully realized.
To hear it. Watch it. Feel it come alive.

This is about control. About opportunity.
About understanding that what you’ve created has a future beyond a bookstore shelf.

What Makes a Story Expandable

Not all stories are built to become franchises—and that’s okay.
But if you’re dreaming big, here’s what we look for when scouting stories with IP potential:

Cinematic storytelling – Visual scenes that play like film
Immersive worldbuilding – Settings with rules, texture, and depth
Distinct, layered characters – Not clichés. Real, emotional, memorable
A strong hook – What makes this story different and marketable?
Emotional weight – Stories that linger, spark conversations, leave impact
Adaptability – Scenes, tone, and structure that can live in different formats

And most importantly:
A creator we can work with.

Because AlònTala doesn’t just invest in stories—we invest in people.
And we won’t build a franchise with someone arrogant, inflexible, or entitled.
Legacy needs humility, collaboration, and clarity.

What You Can Do Now (Even Before Publishing)

This doesn’t mean you need to write for Netflix. But if you’re curious about expanding your story’s future, here’s how to prepare:

Think like a director.
Visualize your scenes. Could they work as animation, film, or storyboard?
Build a world, not just a plot.
Does your story’s setting feel alive? Could readers draw it, map it, or revisit it?
Let your characters breathe.
Would a reader want to follow them beyond one book?
Document your lore.
Keep your notes—timelines, rules, dialogue snippets. It’ll be useful later.
Protect your work.
Make sure you understand copyright basics. This is your property—own it properly.

How AlònTala Sees IP

We are a small but ambitious house. We don’t claim to be Netflix-ready, and we don’t pretend to have all the infrastructure of big studios.

But we’re building. Quietly, intentionally.

IP development is part of our long-term vision.
We are positioning ourselves to not only publish quality books, but to nurture the stories that can evolve into full experiences. That means:

Helping authors understand their IP rights
Exploring pitch bibles and adaptation strategies
Creating paths for visual/audio storytelling within reach
Partnering with artists, composers, and voice actors in the long run
Dreaming of multimedia—and working toward it, one smart step at a time

We don’t promise immediate adaptation.
But we do take adaptability seriously. If your story and personality align with the DNA we’re building—we’ll start laying the foundation with you.

Final Words

The future of publishing isn’t just on paper. It’s in screens, stages, soundwaves, and experiences.

If you’re writing something real, something deep, something bold—there’s a chance you’re holding the beginning of an empire.

Don’t limit it.
Don’t shrink it.
And don’t hand it over to someone else just because you didn’t know your story had legs.

Because it does.

Follow AlònTala Publishing on Facebook then join our group, Tales & Tides—where the bold, the curious, and the unshakably stubborn creatives gather.

Subscribe to our Substack pages for behind-the-scenes rants, boundary-breaking prompts, and love letters to the misfits building empires from scratch:

Indie From the Islands by Mariel (founder, publisher, breaker of chains)
Daydreams for Breakfast by Pasta (editor, poet, soft chaos machine)

Got questions? Rage? Contract drama? Emotional support needs?
We got you. Reach out anytime at hello@alontala.com

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